z zimmer



(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 1.

O. ZIMMER.

REFRIGERATOR.

No. 248,826. Patented Oct. 25,1881.

(No Model.) 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

G. Z IMMER. REFRIGERATOR.

No. 248,826. Patgntedflct. 25,1881.

4 Sheets-Sheet Patented Oct. 25,1881.-

0. ZIMMER. REFRIGERATOR.

(No Model.)

Wzfrzaaay (No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

C. ZIMMER.

REFRIGERATOR.

Patented Oct. 25,1881. 22 .6.

Nv PETERS. Plmw-Lnhngmprmr. Washlnglun. n. c.

UNTTEn STATES PATENT QEETQEO CHRISTIAN ZIMMER, OF RICHMOND, VIRGINIA.

REFRIGERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,826, dated October 25, 1881.

- Application filed June 16, 1881. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN ZLMMER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Richmond, in the county of Henrico and State of Virginia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Refrigerators, of which the following is a specification.

The design of my invention is to secure the greatest possible economy and utility in a refrigerator; and it consists, broadly, first, in a refrigerator having a subdivisible preservingchamber, in combination with a correspondingly-subdivisibleice-receptacle, arranged substantially as hereinafter more fully described; second in a refrigerator having a vertically and horizontally subdivisible preserving-chamber, in combination with a correspondingly-subdivisible ice-receptacle, arranged substantially as hereinafter more fully described; third, in a refrigerator having an inclosing-case and a preservingchamber made removable therefrom, arranged, substantially as hereinafter described, to form a space around and below said preservingchamber, between it and the inclosing-case, substantially as hereinafter more fully described; fourth, in a refrigerator, in the eombinatiomwith two or more preservingohambers, two or more ice-receptacles, an inclosi11g-case for both, and a lid common to both the ice-receptacles and preserving-chambers, provided with means whereby access may be had to any one of the ice-receptacles or preserving-chambers, of a secondary lid or lids, hinged to the inclosing-case and provided with means whereby access may be had to anyone of the ice-receptacles orany one of the preserving-chambers,substantially as hereinafter more fully described. The invention furtherconsists in certain details of construction, substantially as hereinafter set forth.

In the preservation of perishable articles by means of cold in refrigerators as now constructed, unless the temperature can be maintained at or below the freezing-point,it is considered essential that a circulation of air should be established within the refrigerator to avoid what is termed sweating of the articles in the preserving-chamber and their consequent deterioration and also to prevent one article tainting or flavoring another. This low degree of temperature can, however, not be obtained in refrigerators as now constructed for general use, except at a great expenditure ofice, while in most refrigerators the capacity of the ice-receptacle is such as to preclude the use of a sufficient v5 5 quantity of ice to obtain this temperature,nor is their construction such as to permit the use of a freezing-mixture. Few, if any, of the refrigerators generally found in the market are constructed on an economical and convenient principle, inasmuch as access is generally had to the preserving-chamber by a large door, which, when opened, admits such a volume of warm air as to drive out all or nearly all the cold air in the preserving-chamber and ice-receptacle,-the two being generally in direct communication and the latter located above the former. This causes a frequent change of temperature and a waste of ice, whilein such refrigerators where a considerable volume of cold air is in constantciroulation the refrigerator acts as a drying apparatus, whereby the fluid components of the articles intended for preservation are evaporated and consequently lost. Lastly, there exists in all refrigerators, as now an ranged, what I may term two practical defects-one which is found in all those that have the ice-receptacle located above the preserving-chamber, and which consists in the trouble and difficulty of keeping them clean and sweet at all times, and the other in the fact that most of such refrigerators have but one preserving-chamber,andin such as have more than one they areinvariably in direct communication with each other. This latter feature necessitates the keeping of all articles indiscriminately in the one chamber, and unless the temperature therein can be kept at or below freezing-point it is very difficult, and, in fact, I believe impossible, to prevent the intertaintin g or intercom m unication of the flavor of such articles. I am not aware of the existence of a refrigerator, especially for family use, that is so constructed as to avoid this.

Having set forth that which from observation and careful study I have found to be defective in refrigerators, I will now describe the principle and construction of my improved refrigerator, referring to the accompanying four sheets of drawings,in which- Figure l is a perspective view of my improved refrigerator with some of the lid-doors open. Figs. 2 and 3 are perspective views of the removable preserving-box, the former with the cover applied and the latter with the cover removed. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the inelosing-case ot' the refrigerator with the lid or cover open, showing the interior arrangement. Figs. 5 and are top-plan views of the refrigerator, the cover of the inclosingcase and of the preserving-box being removed, the latter figure showing, on a smaller scale,a modified arrangement of preserving-chambers and icereceptacles. Fig. 6 is a vertical transverse section of the refrigerator. Fig. 7 is a vertical longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the under side of the cover of the preservingbox, and Fig. 9 is a like view of one ofits metallic partitions.

In the above figures of drawings like letters ofreference are employed to indicate like parts wherever they may occur.

I have found by actual practice that when the preservingchamber is not in direct communication with the ice-receptacle, and. when no circulation of air exists between the two, and that when the aperture through which ac cess is had to such chamber is located on the top thereof, there is no sweating produced by the opening of the door of such aperture for temporary access to the chamber. The warm outer airin this case must necessarily penetrate into the chamber from the top, and in order to displace the heavier cold air within the chamber the lighter warm air must sink into it, which is theoretically as well as practically impossible. It is evident, therefore, that when the door of the preserving-chamber is opened but a very small volume of warm air, it any, can penetrate the chamber, the heavier cold air preventing the warm air from entering. Consequently there is practically no sweating or condensation.

I11 the above drawings, A indicates the inclosing-case, which is or may be in the form ot'a plain box, the double walls of which inclose a packing composed of any of the nonconducting materials usually employed, and may be constructed in any approved or preferred manner. The box A is or may be provided with legs or rollers or casters. It is further provided with any desired means for the escape of the water from themelted ice, though I prefer to employ the devices hereinafter fully described, and for purposes there set forth.

A is the lid of the box, hinged thereto at one edge, and provided with depending cleats or flanges on the other three edges, that fit over and snugly iuclose the box.

A is a door closing an aperture in the lid through which access is bad to the preservingbox. The lid and door of the same may or may not be made of double walls and packed in the usual way, and for small refrigerators for family use I find that a lid and door made of wood one or one and a half inch thick answer all the purposes, and they are constructed in any preferred or usual manner, so that the lid will fit the box snugly and the door its aperture.

To effect this more perfectly, and to make the box practically air-tight, the edges of the box and the seat for the door may be provided with strips of rubber-cloth, felt, or other similar material, or the lid and door may be provided with such strip at those parts which rest upon the box and the seat for the door. The case A is lined throughout with any of the materials usually employed for such purposes, preferably galvanized iron.

B is the preserving-box, which is made of any suitable sheet metal, preferably galvanized iron, and is removable from the inclosing case A. The box 13 is of such a size as to leave a space between it and the outer case, A, all around the former, it being supported within the case A upon legsor other suitable supports, so as to leave a like space between the bottom of the same and that of the case A, as shown, Figs. 6 and 7.

In practice I have found that in a refrigerator that has a preserving-box four feet long by three feet wide and two feet high a space of from three to three and a halt inchesall around is SllfllOlGll'C, while the space at bottom need not be morethanoneand one-halt'to twoinches. Of course it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the dimensions given, as these may be varied, if desired.

The space between the walls of the inclosing-casc A and those of the preserving-box B is divided into any desired number of receptacles, R, by means of vertical partitions a,which may be attached to the walls of the inclosingcase or to those of the preserving-box. I prefer, however, to make these partitions removable by sliding them into grooves formed on or in said walls, as shown. Each of the ice-receptacles thus formed around the four sides of the preserving-box is so constructed as to admit of the adjustment of their capacity. This I aecomplish by means of a perforated removable galvanized-iron or other sheet-metal shelf or bottom, a, which may be adjusted vertically by providing at intervals suitable seats for the same upon the sides of the preserving-box and inclosing-case. This shelf forms the removable bottom of each ice-receptacle, the capacity of which may thus be increased or decreased by moving the bottom higher up or lower down in the receptacle, and consequently the quantity of ice employed for each receptacle 1% may be regulated according to the degree of cold it is desired such receptacle should produce.

The regulating of the temperature in each of the several contiguous preservirig-chambers is not alone effected by increasing or decreasing the quantity of ice employed to cool each chamher or by increasing the frigorific properties of the ice by an admixture of salt, as is the case in refrigerators of usual construction, but, as will be readily seen, this regulating of the temperature is etfected by placing the refrigerant at different elevations in the ice-receptacles contiguous to the several preserving-chambers.

It is well understood that cold air will always sink in a vessel or receptacle in which a refrigerant is placed at a certain elevation, and for this reason the refrigerant is or should always be placed above the articles to be preserved.

In a series of chambers, themselves subdivisible by shelves or not, it is evident that if a certain quantity of ice is placed near the upper end thereof the space below will soon acquire that degree of cold the quantity of ice employed is capable of producin If, however, the same quantity of ice is placed midway of the receptacle, or near the bottom thereof, all the air above the ice will be considerably warmer than that below the ice. This is the more appreciable when the ice is applied to the outside of the receptacle, and still more so when such receptacle is divided horizontally into chambers by means of non-conducting partitions.

I have described my refrigerator as having airtight,or practically air-tight,chambers. This should not be confounded with vacuum-chambers in which the temperature could not be regulated. Of necessity each chamber is filled with air, and such air is oceasionally replaced, in part at least, by the outer warmer air when the chambers are opened; hence it is not so much the quantity or frigoritic power of the refrigerantthatis the primary means employed for regulating the temperature, but its location around the preserving-chamber.

The preserving-box B is interiorly subdivided into a series of compartments by means of partitions I), which latter are preferably made removable. In practice I subdivide the ice-space on each side of the box 13 into as many receptacles It as there are compartments in said box I3.

In the drawings 1 have illustrated a refrigerator having three such compartments, 0 G 0 and six ice-receptacles, one on each side of the compartments, the ice receptacle of the end compartmentbeing larger than the others, as they extend over three sides of said end compartments, yet by means of the partitions and the shelves above described the quantity of ice used for these end compartments may be regulated readily. I avail myself of this feature of construction to produce the lowest temperatures in the end chambers, 0 O and the higher temperatures in the in termediate chambers. Thus, for instance, if it is required to keep the temperatures in the chamber 0 at or below freezing-point, I place the removable bottom of thc ice-receptacle upon the lowest seat and fill the ice-receptacle upon the three sides of the chamber with a mixture of salt and ice that will in a comparatively short period bring the temperature within the chamber to the required degree, while in the chamber 0 the bottom of the ice-receptacle will be placed higher up and the receptacle then filled with ice only, which will result in a higher temperature in the latter chamber, while the bottom of the ice-receptacles on opposite sides of the,

temperature within said chamber at a still higher degree. To accomplish this result in a more perfect manner I interpose additional non-conducting partitions between the chamber O and the chambers G and C by introducing a wooden partition, I); and I also iuterpose between the frigoritic agent and the bottom of the preserving-chambers a body of water by preventing the water resulting from the m.elt-, ing of the ice from escaping until ithas attained the proper level through the medium ofdevices hereinafter described. By this means I prevent the radiation, if I may so term it, of the colder temperature in the compartments 0 (J and the reduction of the temperature in C.

These partitions I generally place within the chamber having the highest temperature against the metallic partition I), and, like the latter, make them removable.

Each cooling-chamber is provided with removable shelves or racks b upon which the articles to be preserved are placed. WVhen shelves are employed these may be provided with perforations, orimperforate tightly-fitting shelves may be used, so as to practically subdivide each chamber 0 O G into two or more auxiliary chambers, c 0 c and, if necessary, the temperature in these latter chambers may be kept at different degrees by using wooden shelves. Thus, for instance, if the ice in the receptacles adjacent to the chamber 0 is located above the lower auxiliary chamber, 0 and this chamber is isolated from those above by a snugly-fitting wooden shelf, the temperature in the latter chamber will be slightly higher than that in chambers c c. As the cold air always descends it will surround each cham ber except at its upper side, as will be readily understood,though,undersomccircumstances, I prefer to keep the space between the bottom of the box B and that of the case Afilled with the cold water from the ice as a cooling medium, and for purposes hereinafter described.

Any desired or suitable constructionmay be adopted to support the vertical partitions and the perforated bottoms of the ice-receptacles, as well as the shelves and vertical partitions of the preserving-chambers. For instance, strips of metal S, bent at right angles to form the projecting flange 8, may be attached to the lining of the case A and outer and inner faces of the box B in proper position to support the bottoms a of the ice-receptacles, at any desired height from the bottom of the box B, or to support the shelves within the preservingchambers, and strips of sheet metal S, bent to form a groove, 8, may be attached at proper intervals to receive the vertical sliding partitions to.

To facilitate the introduction into the preserving chambers ot' the non-conducting partitions b,1form the retaining-strip S as shown in Fig. 9, the space 8 between the flanges being of a sufficient width to introduce both partitions; or I may form asecond groove, 8 to receive the metallic partition I), the non-conducting partition being placed in the space s.

IIO

I employ preferably wood for the latter partitions, and make them about one inch in thickness.

Another convenient method of supporting the shelves and retaining the partitions is by means of corrugations formed in the lining of the case A and in the metal of thebox B, both vertically and horizontally, or any other desired or approved means for effecting this purpose may be employed. The partitions of the ice-receptacles and those of the preservin g-box extend upward and are flush with the upper face or edges of said box B, which is covered by a lid, D, that has a flange, d, upon its under side, which flange surrounds the said box on all sides when the lid is placed thereon. This lid is made of some non-conducting ma.- terial, preferably wood, and is about one or one and a half inch thick.

The flange (I may be lined with rubber, felt, or similar material, to form an air-tightjoint, and the inner face ofthe lid, whereit rests upon the partitions, may have a strip of like material attached thereto to form a like joint between the several chambers, or the whole ofthe inner face of thclidmay be lined with a non-conductingflexible material. For ordinary purposes this, however, is not absolutely necessary, as the wooden lid 1), if properly constructed, will fit the box B and its partitions sufficiently tight to isolate the chambers between each other, yet in an economical sense the abovedcscribed arrangement is desirable.

To the four edges of the lid are hinged four or more lids, I). For small refrigerators four such lids will be found suflicient; but in large refrigerators, where one or more of the chamhers are opened more frequently than the others, I preferably provide a separate lid for each ice-receptacle to facilitate the replenishing of such with ice without opening or exposing the other ice-receptacles. The edges of the four or more lids l) are supported on suitable seats formed in or attached to the lining of the case A. To increase the economy and efficiency of the refrigerator I cover each of the lids l) with cloth, felt, rubber, or analogons material, which may be tacked at one edge to the lid 1) in rear of the hinges and rest looselyupon the lids D; or it may be removably attached to the lid D by means of a strip of metal or wood and screws, or it may be tacked to both the lid I) and the lids D, and said non-conducting cover is so arranged that the cover of one lid will overlap the edge of the cover of the adjacent lid, as shown in Fig. 2; or,if desired,especiallyin refrigerators for family use, which are generally of small dimensions, a blanket may be placed between the lids I) l) of the preserving-box and icereceptacies and the lid of the inclosing-case.

To avoid the lifting of the lid 1) to gain access to the preserving-chainher it is provided with suitable doors, the number of such doors corresponding with the number of the preserving-chambers.

In refrigerators of considerable dimensions I preferably make the lids A D in sections (two or more) and provide the latter with doors (1, corresponding in number to the number of preserving-chambers, and the lid A with a series ofdoors,A correspondingin number to the number of doors (1. The doors A extend over the ice-receptacles to avoid the lifting of the lid A for replenishing said receptacles, and by providing aseries of doors corresponding in location and number to the location and number of doors (1, consequently to the location and number of the respective ice-receptacles, either of the latter may be filled. or inspected without exposing the others.

All the parts in the refrigerator being made removable, it is evident that the cleaning of the same is greatly facilitated; and in practice I provide an aperture, w, Fig. 6, normally closed by a plug, for each prcservirig-chamber, to allow the water Lsed for cleaning said compartments to flow out of the same without resorting to the use of a sponge, or without ne cessitating the removal of the preserving-box, which need not be removed, therefore, during the warm season, if the least attention is paid to the cleanliness of the ice.

All the chambers being isolated from each other, the food in one cannot taint that in the other or communicate its flavor thereto, and all of said chambers having removable partitions the capacity thereof may be regulated.

Under some conditions I prefer to maintain the lower part. of the refrigerator-that is to say, the space between the bottom of the easing and that of the box B-filled with water, and to prevent the water from rising to the lowest point at which the ice may be placed I use a stop-cock or a pipe, L, having a siphon attachment,F, or the discharge-nozzle of which is bent upward and then downward,the upper bend,f, determining the water-level within the refrigerator; or said level may be made adjustable by making the attachment F adjustable upon the discharge-nozzle of the stop-cock or pipe, as shown. The cold water thus accumulating may be used as a cooling medium in the refrigerator itself, or it may be conducte l to asccond cooler, through which it may be caused to circulate for the purpose of cooling cooked and yet warm food prior to placing the same in the preserving-chambcrs.

If itis desired to maintain the temperature in the preserving-ehambers at or below the freezing-point, all the water is allowed to flow off as it is formed, and the ice-receptacles, as well as the space below the preserving-chambers,are filled with a freezing-mixture, such as salt and coinminuted ice.

Any other suitable arrangement of preservingchambers and ice -receptaeles may be adopted, as found convenient or according to the space the refrigerator is to occupy.

In Fig. 10 I have shown a refrigerator practically square, and havingfourinstead of three preserving-chambers.

From the above description it will be seen that the refrigerator is practically air-tight, as

it has no communication with the outer atmosphere, the peculiar construction of stopcock forming a water-seal at the point where the water escapes.

Having now described my invention, what I claim is 1. In a refrigerator, the combination, with the inclosin g-case,of a preservin g-box arranged relatively to each other to form an icereceptaole, said box and receptacle hein g arranged for subdivision by means of vertical removable partitions, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a refrigerator, the combination, with the inclosin g-case, ofa preservin g-box arran ged relatively to each other to form an icereceptacle, as set forth, said box and receptaclebeing arranged for subdivision by means of vertical and horizontal removable partitions, substantially as described, for the purpose specified.

3. In a refrigerator, the combination, with two or more preserving-chambers,two or more ice-receptacles, and an inclosing-case for both, and a lid common to both the ice-receptacles and preserving-chambers, provided with means whereby access may be had to any one of the ice-receptacles or preserving-chambers, of a secondary lid or lids hinged to the inclosingcase and provided with means, substantially as described, whereby access may be had to any one of the ice-receptacles or any one of the preserving-chambers, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

4.. In arefrigerator, an inelosing-case, in combination with a removable preservin g-chamber, arranged relatively to each other, as described, to form a series of ice-receptacles and a waterreceptacle underneath, and common to all the ice-receptacles and the preserving-chambers,

substantially as and for the purpose specified. 5. In a refrigerator, an inolosing-case and a removable preserving-chamber arranged to form an ice-receptacle around the sides and a water-space below said chamber, in combination with an adjustable water-escape, whereby the level of the water within the inclosing-case and ice-receptacles is regulated, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. In a refrigerator, the combination, with theinclosing-case A and thepreserving-box B, arranged relatively to each other, as described, of the removable vertical partitions a and the adjustable shelves at, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

7. The combination, with the outer casing, A, and the preserving-box 13, arranged relatively to each other, as described,'of the re movable partitions a, adjustable shelves to, and the removable partitions 12, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

S. The combination, with the inclosing-case A and the preserving-box B, constructed and arranged to form a series of ice-receptacles and a corresponding series of preservingchambers, of the cover D, provided on its under side with a flange, d, and having a series of doors, I) and d, corresponding, respectively, with the series of ice-receptacles and preserving-chambers, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. In arefrigerator constructed substantially as described, and having a water-space below the preserving-chamber, a water-escape consisting of a pipe or stop-cock, L, having the adjustable attachment F, substantially as de scribed, and for the purpose specified.

In witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 11th day of June, 1881.

CHRISTIAN Z [M ME R. 

